Programs

AWB’s programs bring us together to share the sky with each other and those around us, without political, geographic, or cultural borders. Through these contacts we learn about each other, and stereotypes and misunderstandings are replaced with reality and empathy.

Global Astronomy Month is the world’s largest annual celebration of astronomy. Whether local events or online, watching or sharing, science or art, there’s something for everyone.

Community

Community

The Astronomers Without Borders global community is at the heart of everything we do. Bringing the community together through astronomy fosters friendship, understanding, and good will. Programs and activities are made possible by the participation of AWB members.

News

News

Are you part of an astronomy organization that is planning a public project or event that you would like to have a worldwide reach? Then why not join us as a proud partner for GAM2015, running the whole month of April. Now’s the time to submit your idea. AWB will be accepting proposals from now until January 30. Your program/event could very easily be one that is in conjunction with one of AWB's own program (Partner Program) or one that is run solely by your organization (Associate Program). As a partnered organization you will be able to use the AWB... Read More...

Guidelines for submitting your art proposal for GAM 2015 This year’s Global Astronomy Month is highlighting art in all various media. We would like artists to submit proposals for programs/activities/events during GAM 2015. Here are the criteria for submissions: Must be connected to astronomy in some way Projects can be existing works or those that are specially designed for GAM 2015. It must be globally accessible (either a google hangout, blog post, photos posted online, downloadable documents). If it is a live performance it must also be broadcast simultaneously online. Artists are encouraged to present the exhibition, film or performance... Read More...

Calling All GAM Attendees In preparation for the upcoming 2015 GAM, we are putting together a promotional video trailer. And we need YOUR participation! If you have photos or videos (less than one mintue clips) of events in your locale of previous GAMs, please send them to us. Your photos can be featured in the 2015 GAM trailer that will be put out on all AWB website and social channels. Global Astronomy Month each April is the world's largest global celebration of astronomy, bringing together cultures worldwide under the motto "One People, One Sky." Hundreds of events are held all... Read More...

This summer after hearing of the Telescopes to Tanzania project, Bill Pothen of Racine, Wisconsin, US decided that he would donate his 12" telescope. However, after being in storage for many years, it needed some tender-loving care. On the weekend of October 11+12....Dave a member of the Racine Astronomical Society sanded, painted, and sanded and painted and sanded and painted the pier and other parts of the the Cave Cassegrain Telescope being refurbished for the observatory in Tanzania. Here are some more photos of the continuing restoration project: Photo credit: Chuck Ruehle Read More...

On October 23 all of North America and parts of Central America will have the chance to view a partial solar eclipse. An eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun. However a partial eclipse is when the center of the shadow of the moon misses the Earth causing only part of the Sun to be obscured. WARNING: you must NEVER look at the sun with the naked eye. For protection, you can use specialized solar glasses that filters the damaging rays of the sun. Read more about viewing the solar eclipse safely. AWB has glasses for... Read More...

Coming October 4 through 10, World Space Week will be heralding International efforts in Space Science and Technology. With more than 1400 events 80 different countries world wide, this is the largest public space celebration on Earth! This year's theme is GPS or "Space Guiding Your Way". Satellites have become an essential for everyday living in the past recent years and this dependency will increase even further with the release of multiple new systems. The organizers of World Space Week hope that this theme will inspire groups around the world to join in on the festival. Read More...

Astronomy education was the focus at the inaugural meeting of the Astronomy Education Alliance conference in Portugal the week of Sept. 8. From the classroom to public outreach and even space missions, all forms of astronomy awareness and education were presented and discussed. This new forum was an expansion of the regular conference of the Global Hands-On Universe program, this year held in conjunction with the European Planetary Space Conference. AWB's President, Mike Simmons, gave a presentation on AWB's education programs, from sidewalk astronomy to new partnerships in formal education. Chuck and Sue Ruehle, founders and managers of AWB's Telescopes... Read More...

Mike Simmons, AWB's president and founder, appeared on the The Space Show speaking with Dr. David Livingston about AWB's programs and especially the importance of Telescopes to Tanzania. Take a listen . Read More...

Spread the word and win a OneSky Telescope! We're launching a referral competition. When you share information about Telescopes to Tanzania and raise the most over $1200, you can win a OneSky Telescope. Second place will win a chic AWB T-shirt. Simply go to the Indiegogo Telescopes to Tanzania web page , log in and use the sharing tools OR after you've made a donation, use the link that's given to you in your social media circles and you may win! Remember, the more you share, the more chances you have to win. Read More...

Mike Simmons, founder and president of AWB was featured on the online international radio show The Stuph File hosted by Peter Anthony Holder. Mike talked about AWB's world wide outreach programs and the importance of the Telescopes to Tanzania Project. To listen to the whole interview, click here . Read More...

You can also help by sharing the campaign from the indiegogo page (using the share tools under the video) and by commenting on the campaign. All of these factors will be combined to help us raise our global exposure. If we work together to push our profile high enough then Indiegogo will feature our campaign on their homepage and email it to their large number of subscribers. Read More...

The GAM AstroPeotry Contest this year had the most entries since the start of this competition three years ago - 255 poems from 19 different countries - truely international. Many of the younger poets were from India and Indonesia, while most of our adult entrants were from the US. We were very lucky to receive so many well crafted and thoughtful poems that it was difficult to choose our 18 winners. Chosen based on originality and how well it reflects AWB's vision, subjects ranged from children playing/pretending to be the solar system to the mystery of space. Entries were judged... Read More...